Today's NYT Mini Crossword is live, and Saturday's grid brings a mix of medical terminology and clever wordplay in an expanded 8×7 format. Whether you're racing the clock or just enjoying a quick brain break, we've got hints and answers to keep you moving.
How The Mini Works
The Mini is a compact version of the classic NYT Crossword, typically featuring a 5x5 grid with five Across and five Down clues. Saturdays expand to a larger grid with more clues. Solve the intersecting words, and when the grid is complete, you'll hear a satisfying chime. No streak tracking here, but the built-in timer lets you compete against yourself or challenge friends.
New puzzles drop at 10 p.m. EST on weekdays and Saturdays. Sunday's Mini arrives earlier at 6 p.m. EST on Saturday.
Quick Scan
In a rush? Here's the at-a-glance breakdown for today's puzzle:
Grid Size: 8×7
Total Clues: 25 (17 Across, 8 Down)
Trickiest Clue: "Holder of meats and cheeses at a supermarket" (11A) - requires recognizing a clever portmanteau
Gimme Clue: "X-ray alternative" (14A) - straightforward medical imaging term
Theme Spotted: Medical/tech terminology cluster with CPR, BMI, MRI, BETA, and CCS
Clue Decoder (Hints Only)
Need a nudge without the full answer? Here's a hint for each clue.
Across Hints
1A. Lifeguard's skill, for short
Hint: Emergency procedure abbreviation, three letters
4A. Health measure calculated using height and weight: Abbr.
Hint: Body composition metric, three letters
7A. "I've cracked the code!"
Hint: Exclamation of discovery, three letters
8A. Long, long time
Hint: Geological time period, three letters
9A. Like a desert's climate
Hint: Dry climate descriptor, four letters
10A. "We're still figuring it out" inits.
Hint: To-be-determined abbreviation, three letters
11A. Holder of meats and cheeses at a supermarket
Hint: Portmanteau of "delicatessen" and "case", eight letters
13A. Needing careful handling
Hint: Fragile or sensitive, eight letters
14A. X-ray alternative
Hint: Medical imaging scan, three letters
15A. Zipped along
Hint: Past tense of moving quickly, four letters
16A. Suffix with legal
Hint: Language suffix, three letters
17A. Ask nosy questions
Hint: To inquire intrusively, three letters
Down Hints
1D. Header on a company's website, perhaps
Hint: Brand identifier, four letters
2D. Opponent of a Met or Marlin, in the N.L. East
Hint: Washington baseball team abbreviation, three letters
3D. Halves of diameters
Hint: Plural of radius, five letters
4D. Tech release that's not the finished product
Hint: Pre-release software version, four letters
5D. Mafia member
Hint: Crime family lieutenant, four letters
6D. "Yes ___!" (informal "For sure!")
Hint: Military-style affirmation, three letters
9D. Words from someone hoping to be friends on Facebook
Hint: Social media request phrase, two words
12D. Includes on an email chain
Hint: Email copy abbreviation, three letters
Full Answers
Spoilers below. Scroll only when you're ready for the solutions.
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Across Answers
1A. Lifeguard's skill, for short
Answer: CPR
4A. Health measure calculated using height and weight: Abbr.
Answer: BMI
7A. "I've cracked the code!"
Answer: AHA
8A. Long, long time
Answer: EON
9A. Like a desert's climate
Answer: ARID
10A. "We're still figuring it out" inits.
Answer: TBD
11A. Holder of meats and cheeses at a supermarket
Answer: DELICASE
13A. Needing careful handling
Answer: DELICATE
14A. X-ray alternative
Answer: MRI
15A. Zipped along
Answer: SPED
16A. Suffix with legal
Answer: ESE
17A. Ask nosy questions
Answer: PRY
Down Answers
1D. Header on a company's website, perhaps
Answer: LOGO
2D. Opponent of a Met or Marlin, in the N.L. East
Answer: NAT
3D. Halves of diameters
Answer: RADII
4D. Tech release that's not the finished product
Answer: BETA
5D. Mafia member
Answer: CAPO
6D. "Yes ___!" (informal "For sure!")
Answer: SIR
9D. Words from someone hoping to be friends on Facebook
Answer: ADD ME
12D. Includes on an email chain
Answer: CCS
Grid Breakdown
Here's what made today's puzzle tick:
Standout Clue: "Holder of meats and cheeses at a supermarket" for DELICASE. This clever portmanteau combines "delicatessen" with "case" to create a fresh supermarket term that tests both vocabulary and lateral thinking.
Wordplay Winner: "Halves of diameters" for RADII. The clue elegantly describes radii as half-diameters while using the plural form that matches the answer length, showcasing precise mathematical wording.
Quick Fill: "X-ray alternative" for MRI. This straightforward medical imaging reference provides an instant solve that helps anchor the grid's medical terminology section.
Speed Solver Tips
Looking to shave seconds off your time? Here's what today's puzzle teaches:
Scan for abbreviation clues first - today's grid features CPR, BMI, TBD, MRI, ESE, NAT, and CCS. These short answers create instant grid anchors and intersecting letters.
Watch for portmanteau constructions like DELICASE. When a clue describes something that sounds like a combination of two familiar concepts, think about blending words rather than searching for existing terms.
Tomorrow's Puzzle
The next Mini drops at 6 p.m. EST today. How did today's grid treat you? The medical/tech terminology cluster and clever DELICASE portmanteau made for a satisfying Saturday challenge. Every puzzle sharpens your instincts for the next one.
See you at the next grid.
